Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I was delighted to hear that construction of the new Forensic Science Ireland, FSI, laboratory is proceeding. What is the timescale for it to be completed and fully operational?

I understand that tied into that is a proposal relating to, for instance, unidentified human remains. There is no central database within the Department or the forensic science area in that regard. In other words, if remains are found in Cork, the information stays in Cork. If remains are found in Dublin, the information remains in Dublin. Are there proposals to incorporate such a central database into the new development of the FSI laboratory?

On the issue of asylum and those coming here to seek asylum, this will continue to be an issue with which we must deal. Has a plan been made by the Department in the past ten or 12 years in respect of the purchase of permanent support locations rather than locations being rented? Is there a proposal relating to capital expenditure in this area? Why has such a strategy not been adopted at any stage in recent years? This is not an issue that will change. We need to have a more permanent structure in place for dealing with it.

I refer to an issue relating to the €53 million of frozen assets. At what stage is it likely that a conclusion will be reached on those moneys being released into the jurisdiction or the control of the State in real terms such that it can be used for the benefit of the State?